Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-08

he we'll knew that the red rovers of tn
plains would seek revenge for the loss c
their warriors, and, having been once o
his plantation, would come again, for tn
memory of an Indian never fails Will
life lasts, be 1t for good or evil.
1t was some eight or ten days after hi
return that Mr.. Delorme vas informed b
i half-breed scout, whom he had sent out
that an immense body OF Indians was 80
preaching.
He instantly sent an express to tn
commander Of the rangers for help, hat
his cattle driven in o the corral, and pre-
pared to meet the impending attack
thankful that this time he had receives
sufficient warning 10 enable him to pre-
pare for defense.
Yet he had but small force to protec
so large house aud so much ground
He had it is true, near hundred slaves
but their weapon, or az least their most
efficient one, was the hoe. Irish fashion
3 negro generally shuts both eyes wheI
ne shoots, and points MS gun everywher,
ia general and nowhere in particular.
He had some fifteen or twenty Mexican
| herdsmen, who were great on the brag
! but, like most barking dogs, uncertain il
the bite. Paul, VINO had some courage, wa:
with him, also one Mahoney, an Irist
over eer, who had seen some service il
! Spain under the Carljst leaders, and who
claimed TO be as "illigsnt a soldier" 8,
ever handled 8 saber. -Four of McCul
! lough's men had been also quartered with
MIN at mis- especial desire.
| All of these were speedily mustered
armed aud provided with extra ammuni
ton, and when the sun went down the es
adjustment of Mr.. DelOrme was as vel
| prepared as he could make it for the an
| ticipated attack; and not a moment toe
soon, for even in the gray of the coming
darkness the dusky forms of the encircling
| foe could be seen and their terrible wells
be heard IS they rode with mad speed to
and fro over the plantation and around
the walls which encircled the buildings.
Stationing the four rangers and some
of his hands in the tower which over
| looked the gate, which was the only
entrance to the inCtosure-fOr the wall
was very high-Mr. Delorme arranged
the rest within the mansion, which was
strong, determined there to make his
stand If the Indians should ever get in
side of the walls.
Mr.. Mahoney, with large booy of the
slaves, was engaged in drilling" for
service in the main hall, much to the
amusement OF Stella, who, in spite of her
recent adventure, seemed now free from
alarm. Sac, too, was armed, and, being
By the size of her father and apparently
so fearless, did much to encourage the
servants to resistance. Mrs. DelOrme
had been Ill ever since the appearance of
her brother, and was confined to her
room.
Paul had volunteered to command in
the defense of the gate and observe the
movements of the Indians.
Night came on, and soon various bright
fires, III different directions, showed that
the Indians were using everything which
they could find combustible to make light
to work by. Soon 8 rafting fire from the
direction of the gate told that some of
them had come within range of Paul's
position, and Mr.. DelOrme went out to
look at the state of matters in that quar-
ter.
Stella, though he begged her to stay,
would not leave his side, and with him
assembled into the small tower, where
Paul, the four Texans and dozen or more
blacks were engaged in sending leaden
presents among large band of the red
tlends who had made a determined effort
to reach the gate.
"SOme one must lead them who knows
that this is our weakest point, SIR" said
Paul to Mr.. Delorme. "They make no
effort anywhere else"
eyes, my lad, yes! They have prob
ABLY some of the haf-bTeeds with them
that l sent away. But 1t is all the better
for US if they COnhne their attack y one
point; we have not got to divide our
forces. Maj)r Mccullough will be on
hand before daylight, and his rangers
will NOW them down faster than my
hands can cut cane. Halo! what's that?
an alarm from the house, as sure as |
live!-hring there by all that's meTciful!
The devils have got oven the wall some
where. l mast get back"
"For heavens sake, stay where you
are, sir!" said Paul, grasping the arm of
the excited planter. "Tney will inter
cept and murder you on the way. You
and Miss Stella are safer here; and l will
defend you while there is drop of blood
in my body. See. there goes file into
the sugar house; and the negro quarters
are alight already"
"They will ruin mel" groaned the
plan.er.
"Mahoney is giving them fits" said
Paul. CLEAR his musket give tongue.
He will defend the mansion"
"Perhaps so-if they don't set it on
fire, tool" said Mr.. Delorme, dejectedly.
"TheY'll have more trouble now than
they bargained for; they've let the cattle
looser' said Paul. They are wild and
r,ico y,iSp biaf tbarp -
The scene now, though terrible, was
indescribably grand. The out-buidings,
sugarhouses and storehouseS were all in
flames, and threw light as clear as day
upon all within the great enclosure. Half
naked saYages running here and there;
horses and cattle, maddened with fear,
rushing and plunging about, believing
and neighing; the Indians yelling and
screaming, and the rafting fire from
Mahoney's irregulars in the hOuse-au
combined 10 effect terrific picture.
AMI those who were in the little tower
gazed upon it until they were aroused
from their negligence of matters outside,
and pertaining to their own position, Oy
a shower of arrows, which laid one or
two Of Mr.. DelOrme'5 negroes cold, and
narrowly escaped doing the same uncalled
for favor for himself and Paul.
SYGaaekout, Miss Stella! Crouch low,
or an arrow may spoil your beauty"
said Paul, coolly, as he pushed her back;
and then, taking deliberate aim, knocked
over the. nearest Ihdiansto him.
ssPau1. You are xsGy thoughtiuh sand a.
hero To BOOT. There's more in you thsgi
thought there was, said Mr. Deiorule
And now, aroused to action, he ssnt a
couple of doses Of buckshot from his gun
in among the Indians who were rushing
up to cut down the gate. Several reeled
and fell, for they were in close range;